Yahoo Forum Archive

Hey guys,

This week I want to talk about story information - particularly what to do
if you ever notice some information that needs correcting.

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WHY WOULD STORY INFORMATION NEED CORRECTING?

Most often this happens with WIPs. Authors describe their stories as they
are at that point. If Legolas doesn't show up until chapter seven and you've
only written chapter five when the story is nominated, you wouldn't list him
as a character. Even if he plays a major role in later chapters. This is
because our readers will use your story information to decide what stories
to read, and if they go looking for a Legolas story we need to show them one
where Legolas really is a major character. And that means he plays a part in
the chapters they can read, not just in chapters you still have to write.

Some WIP information is guaranteed to change. Your length will go up as you
post new stories, and if you finish it during the awards, that needs to
change, too. Your rating may also change, as may your warnings. And if
characters, events, etc. only feature into later chapters, you may want to
update that information as well.

Even with finished stories, sometimes we need to update the information. For
instance, an author may move to a new archive. Sometimes readers will
request we add information (usually specific warnings), and if the author
agrees we will edit the story information to add that as well.

Finally - sometimes an archive will change their policies, meaning that a
story that was available to everyone in May now requires you be a site
member to read it. For the MEFAs we need a link where anyone can read the
story. So if that happens we require authors to give us new URLs, and update
that information for them.

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WHO CAN REQUEST STORY INFORMATION BE CHANGED?

Authors can always request I update their information. In most cases I will
agree, though I do decide on a case-by-case basis. (If the change would be
disruptive to the awards in some way, I may say no.)

Readers, you may see information you think is inappropriate. For instance,
maybe the story involves graphic battle gore and you think that needs a
warning for that. I will discuss it with the author and, if the author
agrees, I'll change the information.

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CHANGES INVOLVING RATING

Sometimes a reader requests a change to the story's rating, or they request
a warning so extreme it suggests the story may be too adult for the MEFAs.
In these cases I will have our ratings panel read over the story (or
chapter, in longer works) and decide what rating is most appropriate. This
is because if a story is too extreme for the Mature rating, it can't compete
in the MEFAs.

If the ratings panel decides the story is too adult, the story will be
withdrawn from the awards. Because it is so late in the awards it won't be
able to compete in the future. I will email the author any reviews she has
already received, and the story will be withdrawn from the awards.

To be clear, not every NC17 story is inelitible. We use our own rating
system which often is different from an archive's system. Stories must meet
*our* Mature rating (or lower) to compete. That's the only requirement. For
more on this issue see:

http://community.livejournal.com/mefas/206117.html

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HOW TO REQUEST A CHANGE

Just send an email to mefasupportATgmailDOTcom. Include the story's basic
information (ID#, author name, and story title), and tell me what
information needs updating. I will make the change for you, or if you're a
reader I'll get the ball rolling by contacting the author or the ratings
panel.

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WHEN WIPS ARE COMPLETED

I especially need to know when WIPs are completed. I will move your story
into a subcategory with completed stories. I will also update information at
our website, and will announce the change to the group. That way people know
where to find your story in case they are reading category by category.

You should report the change the same way you do any other: simply email me
at mefasupportATgmailDOTcom.

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P.S.: Annmarwalk is posting reviews to the [mefa-reviews] Yahoo group and
the [mefas] LJ community. If you'd like to receive reviews by email, sign up
for one of these groups.

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For more information:

--- Are "adult" stories eligible for the MEFAs?
http://mefawards.net/MEFA2010/index.php?page=FAQratings#rat_1
--- Ratings Guidelines:
http://mefawards.net/MEFA2010/index.php?page=FAQratingsguide
--- What if I read a MEFA-nominated story that I think is adult? [NB: same
process applies for *any* change request.]
http://mefawards.net/MEFA2010/index.php?page=FAQratings#rat_7

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Marta
(MEFA Admin.)